strengths and weaknesses Flashcards
- Difficult to control variables
- Difficult to replicate the same conditions of the study
- Ethical problems can arise
Field experiments
- Works in natural setting
- Larger scale research
- Subjects are not influenced by the observations of the experiments
Field experiments
- Used to study complex systems
- Compress a time frame, which allows to study the behavior of the system more quickly
- “What-if” questions can be tested and answered
Simulation
- Model building requires deep knowledge of the field
- Time consuming and expensive
- May require specialized hardware and software tools
Simulation
- Low development time
- Cost-effective
- Easy data collection and analysis using statistical methods
- Can reach high audiences
- High representativeness
- Not affected by the subjectivity of the researcher
Surveys
- Reliability of data is very dependent on the quality of answers and on the survey’ structure
- Rigidity of the structure
- Don’t capture emotions, behavior and changes of emotions of respondents
Surveys
- A lot of information and different domains can be explored
- Degree of association between two variables can be easily calculated
- No manipulation of behavior is required
Correlational study
- No direct cause and effect can be inferred
- May lacks internal/external validity
- Doesn’t provide a conclusive reason for the existence of a correlation between two variables
Correlational study
- Several statistical tests and techniques can be used
- A lot of information and different domains can be explored
- Technical rigor of the process
Multivariate analysis
- Complex of the employed techniques
- Requires the use of specialized statistical software
Multivariate analysis
indicated when a given topic is relatively unexplored and it becomes important to understand in detail a given phenomenon, while maintaining the environmental conditions in which it occurs
Observation
very time-consuming method, which requires prior preparation and the availability of the researcher to visit the place where the event occurs
Sensitive method since the interpretation of the data is done exclusively by observer
Observation
researcher can have an in-depth knowledge about the situation in analysis
Ethnography
requires a huge investment in the researcher’s time and the results produced by the study can be very diverse and it can become difficult to extract precise and targeted conclusions
Ethnography
allows researchers to have a depth perception about people and processes by understanding the behavior of people and their experiences. The collection of data is done on the field and it can occur over an extended period of time
Field research
not easy to generalize this approach to a very large number of people or groups, and documenting observations may become a challenging process
Field research
can provide a broader range of information more quickly and offer the opportunity to seek clarification
Focus groups
can be hard to control and manage
can be difficult to encourage people to participate
Focus groups
provide a mean to investigate complex situations with multiple variables under analysis, appealing for advancing a field’s knowledge base, a good opportunity for innovation and challenge current theoretical assumptions
Case studies
Difficult to establish a cause-effect connection to reach conclusions and it can be hard to generalize
Case studies
assessment method design to get and compare responses from all the interviews
can inquire about past experiences and/or proposed hypothetical situations
Structured interviews
time consuming, they don’t have the same flexibility in the choice of the answers that are predefined
Structured interviews
kind of unstructured, direct, and personal interview with each respondent
provide very rich information, and it offers the opportunity to ask follow-up questions, probe additional information, justify previous answers, and establish a connection between several topics
In-depth interviews
time intensive, and it is not generalizable
In-depth interviews
